A chronicle of Issues, Studies, News and other items of interest regarding Mormonism (2006-2013)

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Deseret Book severs relationship with Seagull

Deseret Book severs relationship with SeagullBy Jenifer K. NiiDeseret Morning News Deseret Book confirmed Wednesday that it will no longer sell anyof its products to retailer Seagull Book & Tape, citing disagreementsabout how Seagull handled and promoted Deseret Book merchandise. But Seagull seemed determined Wednesday to mend fences. Jeff Simpson, Deseret Book executive vice president, confirmedthat there were disagreements and differences of opinion with SaltLake-based Seagull, resulting in the severing of relationships betweenthe two. "We changed the nature of our relationship with them a few weeksago," Simpson said Wednesday. "There was a difference of opinion abouthow they merchandised, marketed and promoted our products." Deseret Book didn't like the way Seagull handled its products,for example, and had information that certain merchandising programswere not being honored, Simpson said. Seagull customers likely willsee Deseret Book's products thinning from Seagull's shelves over thecoming weeks. Like the Deseret Morning News, Deseret Book is a wholly ownedsubsidiary of Deseret Management Corp., the holding company forbusinesses owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seagull spokesman David Politis said Wednesday that "Seagull hasbeen working, and continues to work towards a goal of continuing itslong-standing relationship with Deseret Book. Seagull Book hadpreviously scheduled a press conference for Thursday at 10:30 a.m.That press conference has been postponed. The expectation is thatthere will be greater clarity on the relationship between the twoparties next week." Seagull declined further comment Wednesday regarding what was tohave been addressed or announced at the press conference or theimplications of its statement. The company, which was formed in 1987 by V. Lewis Cofford, wasdesigned to provide a new distribution channel for LDS media =97specifically, for other LDS publishers and for Seagull's sistercompany, Covenant Communications. Seagull has 24 stores in Utah,Idaho, Arizona and California. Simpson downplayed the notion of ill will in the relationshipbetween Deseret Book and Seagull, stating that the decision to severties was made "in the normal course of business." "We make these decisions as part of an ongoing evaluation of howwe're conducting our business," Simpson said. "It really boils down tohow our products are represented in the marketplace, how they'remerchandised and promoted. It's important." What it isn't, according to Simpson, is a change in strategy forDeseret Book on how it deals with outside vendors. "Our products are still available at hundreds of outlets acrossthe West, the country and the world," he said, citing vendors likeSam's Club, Wal-Mart, Barnes & Noble, Smith's and Amazon.com, alongwith independent retailers.